Maple pork ribs

I had the meaty pork ribs in the freezer and so decided to give this a go.  Eagle-eyed readers will see the absence of tomato chutney - I’ve cut tomatoes out of my diet recently in an effort to heal my ills from within, so left the chutney out.  I’ve got to say I didn’t miss it.  With all the other ingredients these ribs were so delicately and perfectly flavoured that tomatoes were not required.  I really felt as I was making and eating them that I was eating Chinese ribs - possibly the inclusion of the star anise giving that illusion.  I’d definitely make this again. 

Braised steak, sake and shallots

• To be correct here, I substituted sherry in for sake as per Nigel’s suggestion, as I had sherry in.   This is one of the missing March recipes - I will finish this book!!      I haven’t made anything new for so long and really miss it so feel like I may be about to get my cooking mojo back.  This dish so was so easy to make and really delivered a wow factor - it felt like I was in a restaurant.  I would make this again but think I’d substitute for a different cut of beef - something more substantial than braising steak.